Policies: Curriculum and Evaluation

For a complete copy of the Foothill Adventist School Policy Handbook, visit the Downloads section.

Curriculum

The curriculum for grades K-8 consists of instruction in Bible Study, reading, mathematics, the language arts, the sciences, social studies, art, music, and physical education. This curriculum is also supplemented by a variety of activities and learning experiences that promote Christian values in worship, service to mankind, leadership skills, and over-all development of the physical, mental, spiritual, and social realms. These will be demonstrated by the following features:

1. Student Council involvement and activities
2. Computer education for every classroom with special emphasis on word processing and keyboard skills in grades 5-8
3. Weeks of Spiritual Emphasis
4. Special assembly programs
5. Student involvement in Worship services
6. Involvement in fund raising
7. Choir and group musical activities
8. Spelling Bee contest
9. Honor Roll achievements
10. National Geography Bee
11. Publication of the school annual
12. Field trips
13. Social events
14. Track and Field events

Evaluation

The school year is divided into four quarters (or grading periods): Two quarters make up one semester, and therefore, there are two semesters in the school year. Progress reports will be issued at the end of each quarter.

Grades will be reported in one of two ways:

It is the responsibility of each teacher to provide parents with an ongoing report of the student's progress. Parents are welcome to discuss a child's progress with a teacher at any time. However, formal Parent-Teacher Conferences are held after the first and third quarters. Progress reports are sent home with the student at the end of the second quarter and picked up the last day of school at the end of the fourth quarter.

The school, also in cooperation with the Central California Conference Department of Education, provides parents with achievement test results from a standardized testing program (Iowa Test of Basic Skills). These tests are administered to the students starting at the third grade level in October. The results of these tests are carefully monitored by the staff, school board, and Office of Education to ensure academic quality in each classroom.

Homework

Homework is generally regarded as assignments to be done at home. Work done at home develops self-esteem in the child and involvement with the parent in the educational system. A student will be given homework as part of his/her scholastic progress. It is expected that all assignments will be completed and turned in on time. Upper grade students are encouraged to do supplementary reading in religion, history, science, and English. Additional research and experimentation will be encouraged.

Parents can help children with work at home by providing a wholesome atmosphere completely free from undue strain or pressure. Independent work habits should be encouraged in the early years. Students are urged to prepare their work neatly, accurately, and punctually.

Policy on Cheating

The following procedures will be enforced with all students who are caught in academic dishonesty (cheating) at Foothill Adventist School.

1. Student will be required to make a phone call to their parents in the presence of the principal.
2. A conference between the parent, student, and teacher must take place within one week.
3. The student will lose all credit on the paper or item on which he/she cheated.
4. Regardless of G.P.A., the student will forfeit the privilege of being on the honor roll for the quarter in which she/he cheated.
5. A second offense in cheating will result in a three-day suspension from school in addition to the above consequences.

Academic Retention

1. Grades K-6

The passing or retention of a student will be determined by the teacher in consultation with the principal and parents. Factors that will be considered are attitude, maturity, achievement level, degree of improvement, and test scores.

2. Grades 7-8

Students who fail two academic subjects will be required to successfully complete a prescribed summer school program prior to promotion to the next grade.

Students who fail three or more academic subjects will be required to repeat the entire grade.

3. Academic subjects include: Bible, math, reading, science, social studies, English, and spelling

UNIFORM PERCENTAGE GRADING SCALES ASSIGNED G.P.A. VALUES FOR HONOR ROLLS

Every subject with the exception of music, art, and physical education classes will count as a whole credit while the afore-mentioned will count as half credits. Practical Arts will also be a half credit. Half credit subjects will not be used to determine an elementary student's G.P.A.

Honor Roll Levels

Suggestions to help your child succeed in school

Good discipline originates in the home. The parent is the first leader of a child and should develop in him/her good behavior habits and proper attitudes toward school. A parent should follow these guidelines:

1. Recognize that the teacher represents the parent while the child is in school.
2. Teach the child respect for law, authority, the rights of others, private and public property, and reverence toward God.
3. Arrange for prompt and regular school attendance and comply with attendance rules and procedures.
4. Work with the school in carrying out recommendations made in the best interest of the child, including discipline.
5. Talk with your child about school activities; show an active interest in his/her report card and progress.

Here are some helpful guidelines to consider in making home-life positive and constructive for success in school.

• Encourage your child to be enthusiastic about his/her school work.
• Be sure your child schedules sufficient time for homework.
• Provide your youngster with a suitable, quiet place to study at home and help him/her establish a regular study pattern or schedule. Pencils, pen, paper, books, dictionary, ruler, etc. should be at hand.
• Pencils, pen, paper, books, dictionary, ruler, etc. should be at hand.
• Have family agreements that are enforced regarding the use of the telephone or television.
• Be sure your child is in bed each night at a proper hour to ensure proper rest.
• Provide your child with a well-balanced breakfast.
• Have prayer with your child every day and send them from home with a healthy, positive self-esteem.

Share these ideas for effective study habits with your child:

• Keep your mind on what you are doing.
• Have a definite, well-lighted, quiet place to study each night.
• Read the entire assignment rapidly for content, then re-read for detail

Child Abuse Reports – The School's Responsibility

The Child Abuse Reporting Law (Penal Code 11166) requires certain child care custodians, including all private school personnel, to report all suspected child abuse to Department of Child Protective Services.

The Law prohibits the school from contacting the parents or informing them of their suspicion, or their report. Child Protective Services must be allowed to interview the student at school, or, if necessary, remove the child from school. The parents will be notified of either of these events by CPS. If a report is made and any follow-up is done by CPS, parents should contact Child Protective Services for any information.

All school personnel are subject to jail terms and/or fines for:

1. Failure to report a "Reasonable suspicion" of child abuse.
2. Failure to observe the confidentiality of a child abuse report or subsequent actions.

School Pictures

Student pictures will be taken each year, including both class and individual photos. These photos will be made available to parents for purchase. In addition, the school will use these pictures for the following purposes.

1. Student records
2. Yearbook
3. Possible newspaper or promotional flyers

In addition, other candid photos of classroom and other school activities may be used for any of the above purposes.

Parents who wish not to have photos of their child used for any discretionary purposes (yearbook, newspaper, etc.) must inform the school principal or secretary in writing at the time of enrollment.